After packing up at Yarrara (30th October 2023), we made the decision to head back down the road the short distance to activate the Merringur silo.

The Morkala-Red Cliffs Railway Bushland Reserve is within the activation zone of the Meringur silo.

Meringur is a locality in northwestern Victoria in the Millewa district. It is located at the western end of the Red Cliffs-Meringur Road towards the South Australian border. Meringur is an aboriginal word believed to mean grey kangaroo.

The railway to Meringur opened in 1925. The station had facilities to handle passengers, sheep and grain. In 1926 land was subdivided and the township of Meringur was born. 

Above:- A plan of the township of Meringur. Image c/o State Library Victoria.

The Meringur Post Office opened on the 2nd day of February 1926. The town steadily grew and soon had a population of about 150 people. The town had an open-air Palais theatre, general store, post office, milk bar, tea rooms, bakehouse, dressmaker, mechanics shop, hardware store, guest house, hairdresser, saddlery store, greengrocer, tobacconist, timber yard, blacksmith, butchers, billard room, ice works, hall and a school.

An old store in Meringur, c. 1925. Image c/o Museums Victoria.

Following the reallocation of the farms in 1948, the Millewa district decreased in population. Werrimull located in the middle of the Millewa district became the district centre, and many of Meringur’s stores closed. Meringur’s current population is about 20 people and the sole remaining business is the Meringur Post Office.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3ZPF/p (VKFF-0623)
2. VK2GOM/p (VKFF-1156)
3. VK2VAR/p (VKFF-1156)
4. VK2BYF/p (VKFF-1156)
5. VK2VT/p (VKFF01156)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3ZPF/p (VKFF-0623)
2. VK2GOM/p (VKFF-1156)
3. VK2VAR/p (VKFF-1156)
4. VK2BYF/p (VKFF-1156)
5. VK2VT/p (VKFF01156)

References.

1. Discover Murray, 2023, <http://www.murrayriver.com.au/meringur/>, viewed 17th December 2023.
2. Victorian Places, 2023, <https://www.victorianplaces.com.au/meringur>, viewed 17h December 2023.
3. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meringur>, viewed 17th December 2023.

Our first activation for Monday 30th October 2023 was the Morkalla-Red Cliffs Railway Bushland Reserve VKFF-4217 and the Yarrara silo VK-YRA3.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Morkalla-Red Cliffs Railway Bushland Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

After breakfast at McDonalds in Renmark, we headed over the South Australian State border into the State of Victoria.

Along the way, we logged David VK5DG who was activating the Cooltong Conservation Park VKFF-0823. Signal reports of 5/9 both ways were exchanged. A short distance further along the Sturt Highway we pulled in quickly to the Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373 to make a Park to Park contact with David VK5DG.

A little further along the Sturt Highway, we logged Tony VK3YV who was activating the Hattah Kulkyne National Park VKFF-0231. We then spoke with Peter VK3PF who was activating Carwarp West I12 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4143.

We turned off the Sturt Highway and travelled south along the Merringur North Road until we reached the little town of Merringur in the Millewa district of northwest Victoria. The Merringur Post Office opened on the 2nd day of February 1926, with the railway reaching the area the year prior in 1925.

The Millewa is a large strip of land situated between sections of the Murray Sunset National Park. Its boundaries are the Murray River to the north, Mildura to the east, the South Australia state border to the west, and the Murray Sunset National Park to the south. It was once inhabited by the Latje Latje aboriginal people.

During the 1920s the Millewa region was opened up for settlement. Prior to this, only large pastoral holdings existed in the region. Prospective settlers were allocated an average of 750 acres of land as purchase leases for agriculture. By 1928 a total of 600,000 acres of land had been taken up by 708 settlers. This was not easy living. The land was semi-arid and experienced about 250mm of rain annually.

Above:- Article from the Countryman, Melbourne, Fri 28 Nov 1924. Image c/o Trove.

Today the Millewa region is a successful grain growing district, producing high protein quality wheat and malting grade barley. Much of this success has been due to the piping of water from the Murray River.

It was often slow going on the roads with farm machinery traversing the roads between farming properties.

We continued on to Yarrara, as I had not initially planned to activate the silo at Merringur. Our plans were to activate the Yarrara silo which was in the activation zone of the Morkalla-Red Cliffs Railway Bushland Reserve.

Above:- The activation zone at the Yarrara silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.

Morkalla is a locality in the Sunraysia region of Victoria. It is located at the farthest west point on the Redcliffs-Meringur Road. Morkalla is an aboriginal word meaning night. Following the end of the First World War, the Morkalla district was opened up to soldier settlers. 

Above:- a plan of the township of Morkalla. Image c/o State Library Victoria.

To assist the settlers, the branch line west from Red Cliffs on the Mildura railway line was extended to Morkalla in 1931. It had been extended to Werrimull in 1924 and to Meringur in 1925. Morkalla was the furthest railway station from Melbourne. 

Above:- An article from the Ouyen Mail, Wed 24 Jun 1931. Image c/o Trove.

There were stations/sidings at the following locations along the branch line (their aboriginal names are also included):

• Thurla opened 10th April 1924, closed 5th June 1939.
• Benetook – opened 10th April 1924, closed 5th June 1939 – ankle
• Pirlta – opened 10th April 1924, closed 5th June 1939 – opossum
• Merrinee – opened 10th April 1924, closed 5th June 1939 – south or wallaby
• Karawinna – opened 10th April 1924, closed 5th June 1939 – eaglehawk
• Werrimul – opened 10th April 1924, closed 5th June 1939 – emu
• Bambill – opened 30th October 1925, closed 5th June 1939 – box tree
• Yarrara – opened 30th October 1925, closed 5th June 1939 – wood
• Merringur – opened 30th October 1925, closed 5th June 1939 – Grey female kangaroo
• Karween – opened 16th June 1931, closed 5th June 1939 – grass tree
• Morkalla – opened 16th June 1931, closed 5th June 1939 – night. 

Above:- The Morkalla-Red Cliffs Railway line. Image c/o http://vrhistory.com/VRMaps/Vic1940.pdf

By 1939 Railway passenger facilities had been removed at Morkalla and in 1964 the line was closed. Not much remains at Morkalla apart from a few old sleepers indicating where the railway line once ran and the goods platform existed. Just the old railway platform exists at Karween. The old silos still exist at Merringur, along with the excellent Millewa Pioneer Park. This excellent pioneer park is well worth the visit if you are in the area. Nothing is evident at Bambil. The old silos still stand at Werrimul along with an old platform. Silos and the old good platform exist at Karawinna. Silos exist at Merinee and Pirlta. No sign of the railway exists at Benetook and Thurla.

Above:- Train crew posing next to the milepost indicating 403 miles (648 km) by rail from Melbourne on the Morkalla-Red Cliffs line. Image c/o Newport Railway Museum Facebook page.

Today, a two-kilometre section of the old 1600 mm gauge railway line has been converted to 610 mm gauge for a tourist train that operates on the line run by the Red Cliffs Historical Railway.

The remainder of the line is now the Morkalla-Red Cliffs Railway Bushland Reserve which is about 565 hectares in size and was established in May 1990.

We set up at Yarrara in the Reserve and within the activation zone of the Yarrara silo.

Yarrara, once a thriving community, is an aboriginal word meaning wood. 

Above:- Plan of the township of Yarrara. Image c/o State Library Victoria.

Above:- harvesting at Yarrara, c. 1927. Image c/o Museums Victoria.

The Yarrara station opened on the 30th day of October 1925 and closed on the 5th day of June 1939.

Image c/o Millewa History photos Facebook page.

Today very little remains of Yarrara. There are a few scattered houses and the silos of course. The town once flourished and had a Country Women’s Association, its own football club and an oval. The Yarrara Hall which was opened in 1935 and closed in 1944, is now located in the Millewa Pioneer Village at Meringur.

Above:- An aerial view of Yarrara. Image c/o Google Maps.

Other than the Railway Bushland Reserve, Yarrara also has the Yarrara Nature Conservation Reserve in close proximity.

The Yarrara silos are constructed of steel and have 50,000 bushel capacity.

Above:- part of an article from The Horsham Times, Tue 14 Mar 1933. Image c/o Trove.

Above:- article from the Sunraysia Daily, Tues 7 Mar 1933. Image c/o Trove.

We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation, in an inverted v configuration, supported by a 7-metre heavy-duty telescopic squid pole.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB before the UTC rollover:-

1. VK2USH
2. VK2EXA
3. VK3CLD
4. VK2GOM/p (Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area VKFF-1141)
5. VK2VAR/ (Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area VKFF-1141
6. VK2BYF/p (Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area VKFF-1141)
7. VK2VT/p (Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area VKFF-1141)
8. VK3OAK/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
9. VK3PWG/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
10. VK2IO/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
11. VK3PF/p (Carwarp West I12 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4143)
12. VK3YV/p (Hattah-Kulkyne National Park VKFF-0231)

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB after the UTC rollover:-

1. VK1DI/p (Hattah-Kulkyne National Park VKFF-0231)
2. VK3PF/p (Boonoornar Bushland Reserve VKFF-4146)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB before the UTC rollover:-

1. VK2USH
2. VK2EXA
3. VK3CLD
4. VK2GOM/p (Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area VKFF-1141)
5. VK2VAR/ (Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area VKFF-1141
6. VK2BYF/p (Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area VKFF-1141)
7. VK2VT/p (Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area VKFF-1141)
8. VK3OAK/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
9. VK3PWG/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
10. VK2IO/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
11. VK3PF/p (Carwarp West I12 Bushland Reserve VKFF-4143)
12. VK3APJ
13. VK3YV/p (Hattah-Kulkyne National Park VKFF-0231)
14. VK5AHZ
15. VK5AYL
16. VK3TKK/m
17. VK3VIN
18. VK5HOL/m
19. VK3CWF
20. VK3CEO
21. VK3SO
22. VK5HS
23. VK5IS
24. VK3NAD
25. VK5FIVE
26. VK5AAF
27. VK3VMM
28. VK3UH
29. VK1AD
30. VK1NAM
31. VK1DI/p (Hattah-Kulkyne National Park VKFF-0231)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB after the UTC rollover:-

1. VK1DI/p (Hattah-Kulkyne National Park VKFF-0231)
2. VK3UH
3. VK1AD
4. VK1NAM
5. VK3CEO
6. VK3VIN
7. VK5FIVE
8. VK3YV/m
9. VK3CLD
10. VK3PF/p (Boonoornar Bushland Reserve VKFF-4146)
11. VK1AAF
12. VK5HS
13. VK2IO

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK4MUD
2. VK4KC
3. VK4MAD
4. VK4DOG
5. VK8DJ

References.

1. Blake, Les, 1977, Place Names of Victoria.
2. Flickr, 2023, <https://www.flickr.com/photos/129023979@N05/49475489982>, viewed 16th December 2023.
3. Flickr, 2023, <https://www.flickr.com/photos/129023979@N05/49489983161>, viewed 16th December 2023.
4. Millewa Pioneer Park, 2023, <https://www.millewapioneerpark.org.au/millewa.htm>, viewed 16th December 2023.
5. trainsandtrams.com, 2023, <https://www.trainsandtrams.com/railways-maps/station-details/>, viewed 16th December 2023.
6. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morkalla,_Victoria>, viewed 16th December 2023.
7. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morkalla_railway_line>, viewed 16th December 2023.

As we headed back into Renmark from Chowilla, a small group of us gathered on 40m, including myself in the mobile. As a result, we agreed to head out for dinner together at the Parilla Hotel.

Once back in Renmark, Marija and Hans decided to have a rest. I chose to head out for a quick activation at the Paringa Paddock section of the Murray River National Park VKFF-0372. Peter Hunter, the Mayor of Renmark delivered a very interesting presentation on Saturday evening at the 2023 VKFF National Get-Together about the Paringa Paddock section of the Murray River National Park. As a result, I was very keen to have a look at this section of the National Park.

Above:- An aerial view of Paringa Paddock showing my operating spot. Image c/o Google Maps.

My operating spot was within the activation zone of the Paringa silo VK-PRG5.

Above:- The activation zone of the Paringa silo. Image c/o SiOTA website.

The Paringa Paddock is a newly declared section of the Murray River National Park. It is well-signposted off the Sturt Highway between Renmark and Paringa.

This section of the park was alive with birdlife during my visit.

The Paringa silos were painted by Jack Fran and Sam Brooks. The silos feature a silhouette likeness of a local hero to the region. This includes George Disher, Sister Elaine Balfour-Ogilvy, Captain Pearl Wallace, and Charles Francis Chaffey. For more information on the silo have a look at the Australian SIlo Art Trail website.

I operated from the vehicle for this activation, running the Icom IC-7000, 100 watts, and the Codan 9350 antenna with the 1.5-metre stainless steel whip.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5BRU/p (Pike River Conservation Park VKFF-0831)
2. VK5AAF
3. VK3CAT
4. VK5HS
5. VK3IO
6. VK5LA
7. VK5KAW
8. VK3GJG
9. VK7DIK
10. VK3CBH
11. VK2XXL
12. VK3ZDK
13. VK2IO/p (Pike River Conservation Park VKFF-0831)
14. VK3PF/m
15. VK3VIN
16. VK3ACZ
17. VK4EHI
18. VK2EAT/m

That evening, a group of us enjoyed a very nice meal at the Paringa Hotel.

References.

1. Australian SIlo Art Trail, 2023, <https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/paringa>, viewed 16th December 2023.

After packing up at Danggali on Sunday 29th October 2023, Hans, Marija and I travelled south to our next activation, the Chowilla Regional Reserve VKFF-1698.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Chowilla Regional Reserve. Map c/o Google Maps.

We drove south along the Chowilla Track, keeping a watch out for the emus and the big Red Kangaroos.

We soon reached the Reserve which is about 75,221 hectares (185,880 acres) in size and was established on the 8th day of April 1993. The reserve is situated on the Chowilla floodplain, a part of the Riverland Ramsar site, designated by the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance.

The reserve contains several lakes and wetland areas, however, due to drought and water being regulated from the Murray, much of the Chowilla plain has been dry for many years. Lake Limbra is one such area in the reserve. It is regarded as a sacred site by the First Nations people and was used as a burial site. In March 2021, a project was undertaken to pump water into the lake from the river. Three months later, in June, numerous wildlife was observed around the lake, including wetland birds and Shield Shrimp.

In 1864 Richard Holland (b. 1815 d. 1881) acquired the lease of Bookmark Station. He was the son of Richard Holland, a convict sent to New South Wales. Some years earlier, in 1849, Holland had married Margaret Robertson nee Harper, the widow of Captain Robert Robertson. He took on three stepsons, John, William, and Robert.

Above:- Richard Holland. Image c/o State Library SA.

In 1896 Bookmark was divided into Calperum and Chowilla Stations. Robert Robertson took up the Chowilla Station, while John took up Calperum.

Chowilla is an aboriginal word. Its exact meaning is unclear. Tindale (1974) reports that Chowilla (or Tjowilla) means ‘a place of spirits and ghosts’. The Robertson family records the meaning of Chowilla as ‘good camping place.’

It was quite a warm afternoon, so we chose a shady spot under a tree. We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80 m linked dipole.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
2. VK3SG/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
3. VK5GY/p (Bullock Hill Conservation Park VKFF-0873)
4. VK5FR/p (Bakara Conservation Park VKFF-0868)
5. VK2USH
6. VK4CPS
7. VK5FL
8. VK5FANA
9. VK3KR/p (Boomers Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2051)
10. VK3OAK/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
11. VK3PWG/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
12. VK2IO/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
13. VK2EG/p (Sugarloaf State Conservation Area VKFF-1772)

Marija worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

1. VK5FR/p (Bakara Conservation Park VKFF-0868)
2. VK3PF/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
3. VK3SG/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
4. VK3OAK/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
5. VK3PWG/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
6. VK2IO/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK3PF/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
2. VK3SG/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
3. VK5GY/p (Bullock Hill Conservation Park VKFF-0873)
4. VK5FR/p (Bakara Conservation Park VKFF-0868)
5. VK2USH
6. VK4CPS
7. VK5FL
8. VK5FANA
9. VK3KR/p (Boomers Nature Conservation Reserve VKFF-2051)
10. VK3MIJ
11. VK5LA
12. VK5KAW
13. VK3APJ
14. VK3CLD
15. VK3CA
16. VK3WMF
17. VK1CHW
18. VK5KLV
19. VK3GJG
20. VK2LEE
21. VK7EE
22. VK1AD
23. VK1NAM
24. VK3MLT
25. VK2GQR
26. VK3OAK/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
27. VK3PWG/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
28. VK3UP
29. VK2TER/p (SOTA VK2/ HU-093)
30. VK2IO/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
31. VK2EG/p (Sugarloaf State Conservation Area VKFF-1772)
32. VK5TR
33. VK5AMH
34. VK5TRM
35. VK5YL
36. VK3ALF/p
37. VK3QA
38. VK5AR

I worked the following stations on 40m AM:-

1. VK5FR/p (Bakara Conservation Park VKFF-0868)
2. VK3PF/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
3. VK3SG/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
4. VK3OAK/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
5. VK3PWG/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
6. VK2IO/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK1A
2. IR6T
3. VL4A

References.

1. PIRSA, 2023, <https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/aghistory/dept_of_agriculture_as_an_organisation/locations/turretfield_rc/history_of_turretfield>, viewed 16th December 2023.
2. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chowilla_Regional_Reserve>, viewed 16th December 2023.

We enjoyed a brilliant day on Saturday 28th October 2023 for the 2023 VKFF National Get-Together.  There were some excellent guest speakers during the day, and the Saturday evening meal and guest speaker were excellent.

It was now Sunday 29th October 2023 and the day kicked off with a BBQ hosted by the Riverland Radio Club, held at Jarrett Memorial Gardens in Renmark. I had a slightly sore head from the night before, so the bacon and egg roll and a strong coffee were very welcome.

After breakfast, Hans VK6XN, Marija VK5MAZ and I headed out to the Danggali Conservation Park VKFF-0825. We had activated the park previously, but as it was such spectacular countryside out there and very remote, we decided to take Hans for a drive.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Danggali Conservation Park. Map c/o Google Maps.

Our first stop was at the Bookmark Information Bay. There are a number of information boards here with some very interesting information pertaining to the Calperum and Taylorville Stations. 

A little further on is the sign for Calperum Station, a former cattle station, now a 2,386 km² reserve.

On our way out to Danggali, we worked Chris VK1CHW from the mobile. Chris was activating the Red Hill Nature Reserve VKFF-0860.

We then took the Danggali Road which showed that we had 31km ahead of us before reaching the Danggali Conservation Park.

As we were travelling through the Chowilla Regional Reserve VKFF-1698, we stopped briefly to work Peter VK3PF and Leigh VK3SG from the mobile. Peter and Leigh were activating the nearby Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697. Not surprising we were 5/9 both ways.

We also logged Colin VK2GOM and Bob VK2BYF from the mobile while in Chowilla. Colin and Bob were activating Four Mile Creek Conservation Area VKFF-2904 in Tasmania.

This is spectacular countryside out here and extremely remote. There is no mobile phone coverage, so if you are travelling in the area, be well prepared.

Kangaroos, emus, lizards and snakes were regularly seen on our way out to the park.

After a nice drive out through remote Australian countryside, we reached the sign for the Danggali Conservation Park and Wilderness Protection Area.

We stopped to log Malcom VK3OAK and Peter VK3PWG from the mobile while in Chowilla. Malcolm and Peter were activating Loch Luna Game Reserve VKFF-1723. Signal reports of 5/7 both ways were exchanged. We then drove a short distance into Danggali and logged Malcolm and Peter once again for some more Park to Park contacts.

The Danggali Conservation Park is about 48,417 hectares in size and was established on the 4th day of November 1976. The neighbouring Danggali Wilderness Protection Area is 202,815 hectares in size and was proclaimed in 2009. The park takes its name from the Danggali indigenous people.

We drove on a little further to the campground area and set up our station comprising the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole supported by the 7-metre heavy-duty squid pole. I used the VI10VKFF callsign for this activation.

Marija worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5AYL/p (Loch Luna Game Reserve VKFF-1723)
2. VK3ZPF/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
3. VK3CLD/2
4. VK2EXA
5. VK3CA
6. VK5DW/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
7. VK5FR/p (Bakara Conservation Park VKFF-0868)
8. VK7DW/p (Sidmouth Conservation Park VKFF-3393)
9. VK5NHG
10. VK5FANA
11. VK3PF/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
12. VK3SG/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
13. VK5CZ/p (Pooginook Conservation Park VKFF-0929)
14. VK3UAO/p (Glenmaggie Natural Features & Scenic Reserve VKFF-3706)
15. VK5AAF
16. VK3YV/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
17. VK2IO/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)

Marija worked the following station on 20m SSB:-

1. VK3ZPF/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK5AYL/p (Loch Luna Game Reserve VKFF-1723)
2. VK3ZPF/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
3. VK3JW/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
4. VK3CLD/2
5. VK2EXA
6. VK3CA
7. VK5DW/p (Moorook Game Reserve VKFF-1729)
8. VK3GJG
9. VK5FR/p (Bakara Conservation Park VKFF-0868)
10. VK7DW/p (Sidmouth Conservation Park VKFF-3393)
11. VK5NHG
12. VK5FANA
13. VK5TRM
14. VK3PF/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
15. VK3SG/p (Chowilla Game Reserve VKFF-1697)
16. VK5LA
17. VK5KAW
18. VK3APJ
19. VK2CDB
20. VK5CZ/p (Pooginook Conservation Park VKFF-0929)
21. VK3DL
22. VK3UAO/p (Glenmaggie Natural Features & Scenic Reserve VKFF-3706)
23. VK5AAF
24. VK3UH
25. VK3AMO
26. VK5DU
27. VK3CTM
28. VK3SQ
29. VK2BD
30. VK3YV/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
31. VK3TNL/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
32. VK1AD
33. VK1NAM
34. VK2NP
35. VK3MHZ
36. VK3BEL
37. VK5HYZ
38. VK2JES
39. VK3ACZ
40. VK2IO/p (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
41. VK3KGW

I worked the following station on 40m AM:-

1. VK3BEL

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK3ZPF/p (Murray River National Park VKFF-0372)
2. VK4CZ
3. VK4EW

I worked the following stations on 20m AM:-

1. VK4EW
2. VK4CZ

References.

1. Dept of Environment and Natural Resources, 2011, Danggali Wilderness Protection Area and Conservation Park Management Plan 2011.
2. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calperum_Station_(reserve)>, viewed 15th December 2023.
3. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danggali_Conservation_Park>, viewed 15th December 2023.

After packing up at the Murray River National Park on Friday 27th October 2023, I headed to the Hotel Renmark with Marija, where we caught up with Chris VK5FR. We had a few drinks and a bite to eat and looked at the 2023 VKFF National Get-Together venue – the Nanya Function Room at the hotel.

Chris and I decided to head out to the Pike River Conservation Park VKFF-0831 for a quick activation before the Friday evening dinner at the Renmark Club. I phoned Hans VK6XN and picked Hans up from the motel, and the three of us then headed out to Pike River. Marija VK5MAZ decided to stay back at the motel to finish off the Welcome packs for the VKFF National Get-Together.

Above:- Map showing the location of the Pike River Conservation Park. Map c/o Google Maps.

The Pike River Conservation Park is about 2.88 km² in size and was established on the 1st day of February 1979. It is located in the locality of Mudic Creek about 215 km northeast of the city of Adelaide. It is named after the Pike River, a tributary of the Murray River which flows through the eastern end of the park. In 2009, additional land formerly known as the Mundic Forest Reserve was added to the park.

We entered the park via a track that runs off the Sturt Highway. There is a dilapidated sign at this location, but in such a state of disrepair that you would not notice it if you didn’t know it was there.

We ran the Yaesu FT857, 40 watts, and the 20/40/80m linked dipole for this activation. I used the special event call of VI10VKFF to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program in Australia.

This was a fun activation with a lot of laughs.

I worked the following stations on 40m SSB:-

1. VK2XSE/p (Tatlows Beach Conservation Area VKFF-2921)
2. VK5PE/m
3. VK5BJE
4. VK2IO/p (Morkala Bushland Reserve VKFF-4119)
5. VK5TN
6. VK1DI/3 (Murray Sunset National Park VKFF-0373)
7. VK3APJ
8. VK3CJN
9. VK3TKK/p (Rowleys Streamside Reserve VKFF-3848)
10. VK4NH
11. VK4DXA
12. VK3MCA
13. VK1CHW
14. VK3DL
15. VK2MOE/m
16. VK7XX
17. VK5HS
18. VK7MAT
19. VK5VST
20. VK4EW
21. VK7PSJ
22. VK3BCM
23. VK3BAP
24. VK2NP
25. VK4FDJL/p (Homevale National Park VKFF-0237)
26. VK4WAB/p (Homevale National Park VKFF-0237)
27. VK5FANA
28. VK3ACZ
29. VK5PL
30. VK2HDT
31. VK5AAF
32. VK1RD
33. VK3ACH
34. VK4HMI
35. VK3MLT
36. VK3VIN
37. VK3CAT
38. VK1ACE

I worked the following stations on 20m SSB:-

1. VK2TER
2. VK2BM
3. VK4NH
4. VK4DXA
5. IK1GPG
6. 9A2AJ
7. VK4MUD
8. ON3CND
9. SQ9CWO
10. IW2BNA
11. KG5CIK
12. SQ9FMC
13. OM5TX
14. IK3HMB
15. UT5PI
16. VK4EW
17. OH5TQ
18. IW2NXI

I worked the following station on 20m AM:-

1. VK4EW

After packing up at Pike River, I headed back to the motel and had a quick shower and that evening we enjoyed stage one of the 2023 VKFF National Get Together – a dinner at the Renmark Club. Marija and I handed out everybody’s Welcome pack and the merchandise they had ordered. It was a great evening.

References.

1. Wikipedia, 2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_River_Conservation_Park>, viewed 15th December 2023.

My latest WWFF Activator Points award certificate.

Thanks to all of the WWFF Hunters and thank you to Swa ON5SWA the awards manager.

In the past couple of days, I received the VKFF Hunter Honour Roll 1,950 certificate, issued for having worked a total of 1,950 VKFF references in the World Wide Flora Fauna (WWFF) program.

Thank you to all of the VKFF activators and thank you to Adam VK2YK the VK5 VKFF State Rep for the certificate.

QSL card received from time station CHU Canada regarding my reception on 14670 kHz on 29th August 2023.